Aims:
The aim of the study was to investigate experimentally the antihypertensive effect of Ruta Montana.
Background:
Ruta montana L. is traditionally used in Moroccan herbal medicine to treat hypertension. This study aimed to
evaluate experimentally the hypotensive and vasoactive properties of this plant.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Ruta Montana on blood pressure
parameters in LNAME-induced hypertensive rats and to determine the vasorelaxant activity of this aqueous extract.
Methods:
The antihypertensive effect of the aqueous extract obtained from Ruta montana aerial parts (RMAPAE) (200
mg/kg) was evaluated in normal and anesthetized hypertensive rats. Blood pressure parameters (systolic blood pressure
(SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) and heart rate were measured using a tail-cuff and a
computer-assisted monitoring device. The acute and chronic effect of RMAPAE was recorded during 6 hours for the acute
experiment and during 7 days for the sub-chronic test. In the other set, the vasorelaxant effect of RMAPAE on the contractile response was undertaken in isolated thoracic aorta.
Results:
The results indicated that RMAPAE extract significantly decreased SBP, MBP, DBP and heart rate in L-NAMEinduced hypertensive rats. Furthermore, RMAPAE was demonstrated to induce a dose dependent relaxation in the aorta precontracted with Epinephrine or KCl. More interestingly, this vasorelaxant activity of RMAPAE seems to be probably mediated through the prostaglandins pathway.
Conclusion:
The present study illustrates the beneficial action of Ruta montana on hypertension and supports then its use as
an antihypertensive agent.
In vitro digestion, antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of two species of Ruta: Ruta chalepensis and Ruta montana
